Green carpets were rolled out this morning for people, boggling the minds of those who had never heard of PARK(ing) Day before. Though anybody can participate in this worldwide event by simply taking over metered parking spaces, Hartford’s first ever PARK(ing) Day was organized.

We were told that the sod, brought in by KNOX, would be re-used in some way during EnvisionFest this weekend. Because of the limited hours we were unable to see everything, but here’s a glimpse at some ways Downtown’s streets and a parking lot transformed earlier on Friday:

Pratt Street
Robyn Valente on Pratt Street

Tea party on Pratt Street
Pratt Street

Shortly after setting down some sod, two vehicles attempted to park on it, one of the event planners told me.

Claiming space on Trumbull Street in front of City Place
Local apples and shade offered on Trumbull Street
Artist Carol Padberg eats lunch in the new park on Trumbull Street
Trumbull Street, more festive for the season

On the next block of Trumbull Street, I spoke with the “bs” artists who told me that the Hartford Parking Authority was more relaxed than on the average day.

Trumbull Street in front of the Civic Center, about to experience beautification
“This is all about park maintenance”
Parked next to the green space on Trumbull Street, a “maintenance division” vehicle
Picnic tables on Trumbull Street. Did not break when sat upon.

The surface parking lot at the corner of Asylum and Main/Pratt and Main has been in need of something more creative than parking for years. Today, it experienced a small dose of that something.

Part of the surface lot between Asylum Street and Pratt Street was reclaimed
Pumpkin decorating in the parking lot park

On Pearl Street, a park was created in front of the Greater Hartford Welcome Center.

Vehicles maneuver around the patch of lawn on Pearl Street during morning rush hour
Hours later, a tree and tire swing occupy that space on Pearl Street

On Main Street, a temporary park was created that nobody would want to try driving over.

Mark Andre Colbert transformed both a parking space and a dumpster. From this angle, you can see vegetation planted inside.
From this angle, you can see that the dumpster on Main Street has been turned into a bench.

Were you able to check out any of the mini parks today? Would you want to design one next September?